Shop Wisely, Spend Less
66With all that has been going on in our economy lately, people are becoming worried about their money. Are they spending it wisely, saving it wisely, making enough? Well, if your money has been on your mind lately, I have some advice to help ease your mind. Even in a booming market place, we should all be thinking about our money and how we spend it. The better choices we make when spending our money (especially on bigger ticket items), the more money we have available to spend and save (for a rainy day). So, without further ado, here is the first of 6 simple things you can do to shop wisely and spend less.
#1 Look before you buy
Of course most people look at their potential purchase before they buy, but how hard are they looking? Take long gander at whatever it is you're thinking of buying. Is it quality workmanship? If needed, will it hold up over the long run? Is it something that you will tire of quickly and stop using? Any item you are going to spend your hard earned money on should be worth it. Make sure it is something that will stand up to your high standards (even impulse or frivolous purchases). Clothing especially is an item we should be thinking about long-term. Buy clothing that will last for years and you'll find yourself spending far less money than you used to on your clothing budget, even if you have to spend a little more upfront.
#2 Compare brands
Not all products are created equal. Compare the item you are looking at with a similar product of a different brand. Look at customer reviews of the product you are interested in and for similar items. Product packaging doesn't tell the whole story about a product. It's the company's job to make sure their product looks better than their competitor's. The real story about a product can be found in customer reviews. There are several ways you can find reviews and opinions on products. Check out Epinions.com or sites like Amazon.com that carry a wide variety of goods and allow customer reviews. Can't find what you're looking for on those sites, Google it! Simply type in the name of the product and "review" into the Google search box and you're sure to find something.
When looking at reviews, the more people that have reviewed a product, the more reliable the overall rating is. If there is only one review and it is a scathing one, that doesn't necessarily mean that the product is a bad one. It may simply be that someone received a dud and they happen to be the only person who has taken the time and effort to go online and review the product. On the other hand, if a product has hundreds or even thousands of reviews, you can be pretty confident that the overall rating listed (based on the average of all the reviews) is accurate.
#3 Compare stores
We all know this one, but just because all the stores are selling the product you want for the same price, doesn't mean you can't find a better buy. If you're shopping online, look for the best deal on shipping. Be sure to look at the return policy of each store. One store may pay for return shipping on defective products while others may make you pay the shipping. Look to see if there is a restocking fee, and if online purchases can be returned to local stores (this is especially helpful for large or heavy items in which return shipping costs would make a return pricy). Also, take a look at add-ons. Some stores may be offering a bundle deal on the product you are interested in, or they may have other promotions such as a gift with purchase which may make a purchase at their store a better bargain.
# 4 Sign up for junk mail
In this age of advertising bombardment, no one really wants to add to their piles and piles of junk mail and spam, unless the mail contains amazing coupons and deals. By selectively signing up for junk mail, you can save hundreds of dollars per year. Most companies have an area on their homepage (or at the front counter) where you can sign up to receive emails from them. Usually these emails contain special coupons and offers, along with sale notifications. That's some pretty handy junk mail if you ask me. Don't forget about rewards cards/frequent customer cards too. These usually put you on a company's mailing list too.
# 5 Look for coupons and rebates
Even if you are signed up to receive coupons from your favorite retailer, check the internet for coupons that you may not have received. A simple Google search containing the store name and "coupon" can bring up all kinds of goodies. There are dozens of websites where you can find printable coupons for in store purchases and coupon codes for online purchases. One site I really like is http://www.retailmenot.com/, if there are any coupon codes to find, they are usually on this site.
If you're purchasing in store, know if the store you're going to purchase at accepts the coupons of competitors, or even expired coupons. Lots of stores take both. Call ahead and find out what the store's policy is. If you didn't have any luck finding a coupon in your previous search of the internet, you may find something if you are able to widen your search.
# 6 Keep those receipts
How many times have you had a product break after only a few weeks? Keep your receipts! Most stores will take back defective merchandise within a month or two of the purchase date. Some stores even take back merchandise up to a year after you have purchased it. I have even returned clothing after wearing it once or twice and the seams falling out. Look at the return policy on the receipt and keep it for as long as the store will allow a return. You can save yourself a lot of duplicate purchases this way. Also, if you purchased something and haven't used or worn it and the return period is almost up, take it back! If you haven't worn or used it by then, you probably won't.
